Sermon Snippet – More People That You Should Know
INTRODUCTION – Luke 7:1-10 provides a fascinating account. In some ways, it is quite distinctive, for all of the people involved are concerned about others. This passage is a most welcome respite from the usual self-centeredness and sometimes savagery that we observe every day.
1. AT THE CENTER OF THE STORY IS A SERVANT
Verse 2 describes him as “dear.” In Roman culture, many servants were slaves, and the ruling elites generally had no regard for workers of any class. We will consider the centurion in just a bit, for there is no doubt that he was more than one in a hundred in his humanity. We now consider the “servant,” who was “sick and ready to die.” How did he become so “dear”? Certainly, he must have been honest. Part of his honesty would have been his consistent hard work; one immediate application for us is Colossians 3:23: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” However, it is clear that the centurion was concerned with more than losing a good worker. The core character of this servant must have been unusually winsome.
2. NOT ALL OF THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS LEADERS WERE INTOLERANT AND INTOLERABLE
Verse 3 tells us that “the elders of the Jews” served as willing intermediaries between the centurion and Jesus. One emphasis of the Gospel of Luke is the inclusion of Gentiles (non-Jewish people) into the eternal family of God. Normally, Jewish religious leaders had limited or no interaction with Gentiles. These men, though, were not controlled by prejudice. Their acceptance of Jesus, at least as a legitimate healer, is also unexpected. We are reminded that God always has a faithful remnant and that He is ever at work in the lives of others – even in unlikely lives. Verse 4 indicates that their intervention was not perfunctory, for they “besought” Jesus to heed the centurion’s request.
3. THE CENTURION’S FRIENDS WERE FAITHFUL
Verse 6 indicates that the centurion’s “friends” were willing to meet with Jesus (Who was Jewish) and deliver a message that could have been easily misconstrued. They were also acting on behalf of the dying servant. Their involvement in these events is consistent with a Biblical principle: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly” (Proverbs 18:24a).
4. THE CENTURION HIMSELF IS A MAN OF STERLING CHARACTER
As we have already seen, he cared for his “dear” servant (verse 2), had befriended “the elders of the Jews” (verse 3), and was deemed “worthy” by them (verse 4). He evidenced faith by building “a synagogue” (verse 5) and had trustworthy “friends” (verse 6). Despite his important position leading one hundred soldiers, he did not consider himself “worthy” to have Jesus come into his house (verses 6-7). His statement of verse 8 is extremely humble and insightful: “For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, ‘Go,’ and he goeth; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he cometh; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he doeth it.” This acknowledgment of the “authority” of Jesus is a profound expression of genuine faith. Christians struggle with Jesus’ authority; the world rebels against it. This authority is intrinsic to the nature of Jesus: He cannot be unauthoritative. Thus, our acceptance of His authority is reasonable and is a strong indicator of the strength of our relationship with Him.
CONCLUSION – As always, Jesus is the hero of the story. He commended the centurion’s faith in ringing terms (verse 9) and provided the necessary healing for the servant, doing so over a distance (verse 10). We see that Jesus exercises His authority for the greatest good for others: may each of us be certain that faith is solely and securely in this Savior. We also see that Jesus “marvelled at” the centurion’s faith (verse 9). Amazement at the things of God is another emphasis of the Gospel of Luke. Let us not become jaded and cynical. I have often said that I do not want to become a bitter old geezer – one way to avoid bitterness is to never lose our wonder at the eternal goodness of God. Jesus expressed wonderment; may we do the same.